INTERVIEW: 59E59 hits the ‘Replay’ button
Photo: Nicola Wren stars in Replay, part of Brits Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg / Provided by Karen Greco PR with permission.
Nicola Wren is currently performing in the United States premiere of Replay, a play she wrote about a police officer who receives an old cassette tape with a message that brings back many difficult memories. The play, directed by George Chilcott, runs through May 13 at 59E59 Theaters in Midtown Manhattan.
The production is part of Brits Off-Broadway, the annual celebration of British theater at 59E59. Wren’s play was met with acclaim in England and is looking to enrapture audiences in the U.S.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Wren about Replay. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Where did the idea for this play first come from?
While Replay is not autobiographical, the idea was born out of very real feelings that I had about some of my most formative relationships changing as I grew up. I had struggled to let go of past ideas and fantasies about how my relationships with those I love and looked up to should be, and I often wished I could be 11 years old again. While I came to accept that that was not possible and began to let it go, I thought it would be interesting to write a story about someone who needed to do the same but would find it far, far more difficult.
Replay is the story of a person who has felt grief so deeply at such a young age that she has blocked out almost all feeling entirely. We meet her at a point where her professional and personal life is now suffering as a result, and she is forced to process all the feelings in order to flourish.
Was it always your intention to also perform in the piece?
My intention was to write a character that I could play but that was, simultaneously, as different to me and as far from my comfort zone as possible. I want this play to be performed for years to come and by many different people, so I wrote it in a way that would make that possible. Replay came from a very personal place, so I’m grateful to have been able to be the first to perform it.
Do you anticipate different reactions from American audiences?
I really hope that the universality of the play’s themes and the character will resonate across the pond, but I genuinely have no idea how the American audiences will react and am very excited to find out. I’m so thrilled to be a part of Brits Off-Broadway, and I feel like I would be doing a disservice to that season if I adjusted parts of the language for the American ear. Although I have lost some sleep wondering if you guys know what prawns are (‘shrimp’ just doesn’t sound as good in this context). So, it’s a very British play, but more importantly, a very human one. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it goes down as well as it has in the UK.
What does the play say about family and memory?
The story in Replay is of a young woman coming to terms with the death of her older brother, years after he has died. It pays homage to how formative, special and difficult familial relationships can be. The fact is, you cannot change your family or your past, and it’s unlikely that you’ll ever really forget about it either, but you can learn to accept and find joy in it. The play is really a celebration of that.
What’s next beyond this production of Replay?
After this production of Replay I will [be] returning to London to perform it at the Soho Theatre for a week in the summer and then, who knows! I don’t ever want to stop doing it.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Replay is currently playing 59E59 Theaters in Midtown Manhattan as part of the Brits Off-Broadway festival. Click here for more information and tickets.
